Hello Everyone, My husband & I (2 mid-sixty year olds) are flying to the Manzanillo area April 7-18. (in a couple weeks). We have never been to this part of Mexico. We have a few questions if you don't mind answering them for us; we would be forever grateful.
#1 question we have: We are renting a car, any referrals to a good company? I am confused about the collision damage insurance. We have it on our gold visa, can we decline it at the car rental counter, if so, do you need proof of coverage, and what proof do they require?
#2 question: Are there any hotels/motels close to the airport for an overnight stay the first/last night?
#3 question: We are adventurous travelers, wish to explore the area. any recommendations for hiking, sightseeing, out of the way towns to play and stay.
#4 we are intrigued by Barra de Navidad & St Patricio towns, any recommendations for accommodations, we would like to stay there for 7 days.
#5 - what are the must-do's in Manzanilla?
#6- what are the areas that are not safe.
Thanking you in advance for any help to make our 11 day stay in your area safe and enjoyable.
Dorothy & Tom

You’ll LOVE it. We are going back April 2 for our third time.
As for hotels no I do not believe there are any near the Airport. We stay in Club Santiago but we are doing a day trip to Barra Navidad but I have not been yet so can’t give you any info on those. If you can get to Colima and go to Volcano. We also did deep sea fishing cost about $350 for 5 hours.

How long are you going for? Colima and the Volcano are on our list. My husband is interested in deep sea fishing. Can you recommend a guide or business?

Barra Navidad was a great little town to go visit. We spent quite of bit of time there. Further down Melaque had a great beach.

Check your cc car rental coverage. I rented a car in Cabo and Mexico was not covered on my cc, Gold Visa

Always take the insurance through your car rental company. It is very expensive ( costs as much as the car) but necessary.

Monica agreed. The car was super cheap, $13/day. Insurance was $40/day lol

Since I posted this morning, I called our CIBC Gold Visa, they provided us with a document from their underwriter (Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada) stating our CC insurance includes Mexico. We are aware we have to take liability insurance. Any thoughts --- any experience with having the documents and still being forced to pay for the Collision Loss Damage Insurance?

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I just came back from Manzanillo in February. We didn't rent a car as the public transit was easy to use AND it was cheap. We went to Barra de Navidad for the day and got on a bus as well, but that was more of a touring bus. There's a travel agent type place right in the Walmart and that is where we got our tickets for Barra.

Most places in Mexico, when renting a car you have to take their insurance.

We just came back from north of Puerto Vallarta and rented a car. The extra insurance which was mandatory cost us a fortune for the month so do lots of research to see what is included in the rental. Also, not sure if it is the same in the area you are going but in PV area you cannot turn left from the main roads which we found out the hard way. If they have a “lateral” which is like a service road running beside the main highway, you must turn left from that lane. Cost us an expensive ticket from the Policia!

Carol, we rented from Hertz at the airport one month ago when we were in PV and never again! We booked a Jetta and when we showed up they didn’t have it. The only thing that they had was a large Chrysler. We were hooped if we didn’t take it because we were out in Punta Esmeralda. Cost us over $ 1700 US for 11 days . The insurance was way more than the rental of the vehicle and that is the norm. Also, Hertz gave us no heads up on any of the do’s and don’t of driving in and around PV. As they say , Hertz hurts! We are back in PV again and rented from Gecko in Bucerías this time. They have been excellent from the beginning. They gave us specific examples on the computer showing us how to use the turning lanes and at which points you can enter and exit back into the roads. They told us what to do if we were stopped by the police... and we were. Didn’t get a ticket once we called Gecko with the cop waiting at the window. They answer their calls immediately and are a great company. Owned by a Calgarian which we didn’t know when we booked.

I'd recommend sunset horse back riding on the beach at Rancho Gama-Miramar. You might even ride his bull, Niko! Amazing walk thru a butterfly jungle, scenic pictures at the alligator lagoon and a run on the beach if you're up for it...or just walk. Absolutely the best time. Say hi to Gama for me and Kevin!

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